Jeanne Betancourt
Encyclopedia
Jeanne Betancourt is a renowned American
author and television script writer best known for her Pony Pals
series of books.
. She lived across from a dairy farm; this rural setting would later influence many of her works. During her childhood, she never considered being an author. Instead, she wanted to dance, and studied tap dancing. When she grew too tall (at five feet, eight inches) to be a Rockette, she decided to become a nun
in her junior year of high school. After graduating high school, she moved to Rutland, Vermont where she entered the Sisters of Saint Joseph, a teaching order of nun
s.
She earned a Bachelor of Science
in 1964 from the College of St. Joseph the Provider and a Master of Arts
degree in film from New York University
in 1974.Women in Focus, her first published work, focuses on her master's degree project.
Betancourt moved to New York City
, where she taught public high school. Betancourt also married and had a daughter, Nicole. She wrote her first children's book, SMILE! How to cope with braces, in 1982 when her daughter Nicole had braces, and soon became a full time author. She later divorce
d.
She currently lives either on the top floor of a sixteen-story building near the American Museum of Natural History
in New York City
or in her home in Connecticut. In her free time she draws, oil paints, gardens, and reads.
nominations.
Betancourt has also won numerous awards for her novels, including a Children's Choice Award from the International Reading Association
and the Children's Book Council
for Sweet Sixteen and Never... and a Lifetime Achievement Award.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author and television script writer best known for her Pony Pals
Pony Pals
Pony Pals is a 44-book series written by Jeanne Betancourt and published by Scholastic from 1995 to 2004. It chronicles the adventures of three young girls and their ponies....
series of books.
Biography
Betancourt was born and raised in rural VermontVermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
. She lived across from a dairy farm; this rural setting would later influence many of her works. During her childhood, she never considered being an author. Instead, she wanted to dance, and studied tap dancing. When she grew too tall (at five feet, eight inches) to be a Rockette, she decided to become a nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
in her junior year of high school. After graduating high school, she moved to Rutland, Vermont where she entered the Sisters of Saint Joseph, a teaching order of nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
s.
She earned a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in 1964 from the College of St. Joseph the Provider and a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree in film from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
in 1974.Women in Focus, her first published work, focuses on her master's degree project.
Betancourt moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where she taught public high school. Betancourt also married and had a daughter, Nicole. She wrote her first children's book, SMILE! How to cope with braces, in 1982 when her daughter Nicole had braces, and soon became a full time author. She later divorce
Divorce
Divorce is the final termination of a marital union, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties...
d.
She currently lives either on the top floor of a sixteen-story building near the American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History , located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, United States, is one of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
or in her home in Connecticut. In her free time she draws, oil paints, gardens, and reads.
Awards
In television, Betancourt has garnered the National Psychological Award for Excellence in the Media, two Humanitas Awards, and six Emmy AwardEmmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
nominations.
Betancourt has also won numerous awards for her novels, including a Children's Choice Award from the International Reading Association
International Reading Association
The International Reading Association is an international professional organization that was created in 1956 to improve reading instruction, facilitate dialogue about research on reading, and encourage the habit of reading....
and the Children's Book Council
Children's Book Council
According to their website, the Children's Book Council is a United States "nonprofit trade association of publishers and packagers of trade books and related materials for children and young adults."...
for Sweet Sixteen and Never... and a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Select bibliography
- Note: all retrieved from (a complete bibliography)
- Pony PalsPony PalsPony Pals is a 44-book series written by Jeanne Betancourt and published by Scholastic from 1995 to 2004. It chronicles the adventures of three young girls and their ponies....
series - My Name is Brain Brian
- Puppy Love
- Home Sweet Home
- The Edge
- Dear Diary
- Cheer USA series